Safety pin



y 1950 v. E. BABCOCK 2,505,875

SAFETY PIN Filed Nov. 8, 1948 Inventor Verne! 'E. Babcoc/r awn Wave; Em

Patented May 2, 1950 SAFETY PIN Verner E. Babcock, Oak Harbor, Ohio, assignor to Clara H. Babcock, Oak Harbor, Ohio Application November 8, 1948, Serial No. 58,966

1 Claim.

This invention appertains to novel and useful improvements in safety pins.

An object of this invention is to retain the pointed end of the usual wire type prong of a safety pin in such a manner that it cannot inadvertently be removed from the clasp associated therewith.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved locking device which may be used in conjunction with various types of articles such as jewelry, bobby pins, and others.

Ancillary objects and features of novelty will become apparent to those skilled in the art, in following the description of the preferred form of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational Side view of the preferred form of the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the invention shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of the device shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side view of the device shown in Figure 3, different operational positions being shown in phantom;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 1 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 4 and in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 7 is an end view taken on the line 1-! adjacent Figure 1 and in the direction of the arrows.

The specific structure of the present invention has been simplified to such an extent that it is commercially feasible and practicable. The usual materials of construction are preferred however, it is within the purview of the present invention to utilize any type of materials desired,

The usual wire type mechanism is illustrated and includes a coil l0 substantially medially thereof and a pointed end 12. A fastening clasp generally indicated at M is attached to the opposite end of said wire which is seen at IS.

The said fastening clasp has a side wall [8 and a resilient wall 20 attached thereto by any suitable means such as crimping, soldering or both. Disposed at the top portion of the said side wall I8 is a bight 22 for reception of the pointed end ll! of the said wire. A side opening or aperture 24 is supplied in the resilient wall 20 for release of the point I2.

In order to place the pointed end l2 within the bight 22, it is disposed in the guard 28 which is attached to and forms a part of the clasp M. Then, it is pressed downwardly until it hits the cam surface 30 formed at the end of the crimp 32. The cam surface and crimp, are disposed on the upper edge of the resilient wall 20. Accordingly, this leads the pointed end to a position immediately beneath the bight 22, whence the inherent resiliency of the coil ID will urge it against the said bight.

In order to release the pin point, a compressive force is placed on the pointed end l2 and it is urged downwardly as seen at A in phantom in Figure 4. Then, lateral force is applied so that it may clear the guard 28, thus allowing the pin to be opened.

An important feature of the present device is when the pin is opened as by compressive force, it will automatically close itself to a safe position.

Due to the predetermined amount of tension stored in the coil [0, when the pin is in the unlocked position (as opposed to the open position), a disposition of the elements occurs as is shown in Figure 3. The pointed end l2 simply rests in the guard 28. In order to open the pin for use, the pointed end is simply pressed to such a point as shown at A in Figure 4 and removed through the slot or opening 24.

While there has been described and illustrated but one form of the invention, it is apparent that variations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly, limitation is sought only in accordance with the scope of the following claim.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

In a safety pin which includes a wire having a substantially medial coil and a pointed end, a fastening clasp attached at the opposite end, said clasp having a side wall with a bight at the top thereof to accommodate said pointed end and a resilient wall adjacent said side wall to releasably retain said pointed end within said bight, a crimp in said resilient wall adjacent the top thereof and having a curved portion forming a cam to lead said pointed end between said side Wall and said resilient wall, a guard for said pointed end, said guard being fixed adjacent said bight and above said cam and consisting of a channel shaped member arranged to embrace the sides and tip of the pointed end of said wire when it is exterior of said bight, and an opening in the side of said resilient wall for release of said pointed end.

VERNER E. BABCOCK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the me of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number I Name Date "Iunison s Sept. 29, 1896 Kasper et a1 Jan. 21, 1908 Porter May 9, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Austria Apr. 25, 1910 Germany Aug. 8, 1939 

